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Your webcam could land you a job

Posted in ASIA on 03rd July 2016

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The Skype interview has transformed the hiring process in the modern business landscape. Here’s what you need to know to be successful.

As most jobseekers know, the interview is a vital part of the hiring process. It can determine whether or not you get offered the job, so it’s important to get it right. Digital technology means that candidates and hiring managers no longer need to be in the same room to discuss a position, with Skype allowing interviews to be conducted anywhere with a webcam.

However, many traditional interview tips, such as greeting the interviewer with a confident handshake, are rendered useless when faced with a virtual interview. So what do jobseekers need to know?

The Skype interview is revolutionising the hiring process

The Skype interview gives employers and jobseekers more freedom than ever before, allowing them to transcend geographical limitations that would have governed the hiring process previously. It means than employers have access to a much wider talent pool, rather than being restricted by talent that is near enough to come to an interview in a short space of time. Similarly, candidates are presented with far greater employment opportunities.

According to 2014 research published in the International Journal of Qualitative Studies on Health and Well-Being, there are a number of ways that the Skype interview differs from a standard face-to-face one.

Perhaps one of the most interesting changes is the ability to end the interview immediately. If the candidate believes that the discussion is going badly, they have the option to end the meeting by simply hanging up, rather than having to make excuses to leave a room.

While this could appear to be useful for jobseekers, it has the potential to damage their career prospects if they end the exchange prematurely. Consequently, the best approach is to know how to make the most of the Skype interview when your encounter it, ensuring you get the best possible outcome.

How to have a successful Skype interview

There are a number of things to keep in mind if you are taking part in a Skype interview:

Just like in a traditional interview, you need to dress professionally so that you will make a good impression.

Make sure you prepare properly before hand by checking that all your equipment works, and you have a suitable background behind you.

Finally, being on camera can cause the interviewer to pay more attention to your body language, so don’t forget to sit up straight, smile and make eye contact to project an air of confidence through the screen.

Now that you have a good understanding of the Skype interview and what it entails, you will be well equipped to tackle it. Just think of it as another step to getting the IT career of your dreams.